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The characteristic 30 b.p. deletion of the LMP-1 gene is not an important factor in the pathogenesis of EBV-associated diseases. The EBV type A strain with the 30 b.p. deletion of the LMP-1 gene is prevalent in the Japanese population.

Interleukin-2 production may be one of the underlying causes of Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome immunodeficiency and recombinant interleukin-2 administration (or an infusion of T-cells expanded by CD3 stimulation and rIL-2) is able, to some extent, to restore defective T-cell function.

Single cytomegalovirus strain associated with fetal loss and then congenital infection of a subsequent child born to the same mother Study design. A newborn identified with congenital CMV infection in our newborn screening program developed hearing loss and subsequent nystagmus. The mother had had an elective abortion due to a severe fetal CMV infection 32 months prior to delivery. We analyzed maternal serological changes and compared CMV genomic sequences in specimens obtained from her first healthy child, the aborted fetus, and the case reported here. We also analyzed immunological and genetic risk factors for CMV disease.Results. Our major findings were as follows: 1) the aborted fetus and the present case were infected with the same strain as that infecting the first child. 2) The congenital infection that resulted in the abortion was due to a primary infection. 3) CMV DNA was undetectable in the mother's blood from 3 months after the abortion. These results strongly suggested that maternal viral reactivation caused the congenital infection in the present case. However, the mother had no risk factors for CMV diseases.Conclusions. Viral reactivation in an apparently immunocompetent and normal mother can cause symptomatic congenital CMV infection.